MGE files for partnership with Madison city, schools to create an 8 MW solar array

Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) has filed an agreement with the City of Madison, Wisconsin and the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) that will result in an 8 MW solar array if approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW).

The solar array would contain around 28,000 solar panels spread across 53 acres of land north of the Dane County Rodefeld Landfill. Once developed by NextEra Energy Resources Development, LLC, the city would take 5 MW, and MMSD would take the remaining 3 MW of output provided by the array.

“We are working hard to have 100% of our municipal operations on renewable energy by 2030,” Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said. “Projects like these are critical to achieving that goal. We are happy for the partnership we’ve had with MGE and MMSD on this project and look forward to continuing that partnership in the future.”

The electricity generated by the array would increase renewable energy use in city operations by nearly 20 percent. For MGE, though, the array would help it achieve carbon reductions of 65 percent by 2030 — exceeding a previous goal to reduce emissions by 40 percent by 2030.

“This new solar partnership, which provides another source of locally generated clean energy, is another step toward our shared energy goals,” Jeff Keebler, MGE chairman, president and CEO, said. “Another 8 megawatts of locally generated, cost-effective, carbon-free energy on our electric grid will help MGE achieve our goal of net-zero carbon electricity for all customers by 2050.”

The total cost for the project is expected to reach $15.3 million. It is expected to be in operation by the end of 2021.